‘Upset by govt’s special treatment to Presidency’

Speaking to The Indian Express,Chadhuri distanced himself from that particular recommendation saying he had objected to it. “Earlier,when this issue was raised in the Presidency Council meeting I had objected to it,” he said.

According to him,the decision on giving additional incentives to Presidency was taken at a meeting attended by the chairman of Mentor Group,Sugata Bose,Education Minister Bratya Basu and Finance Minister Amit Mitra,a few days ago.

“It is good to provide additional incentives to distinguished professors. But it should not be limited to Presidency University,” he said.

“If Presidency University gives additional emolument to its distinguished professors from own fund,then I would have accepted it. But why the government is giving so much preference to only Presidency University. There are other professors in other universities,too,who are equally talented like those on in Jadavpur University and Calcutta University. Why not the government is giving them additional emolument also. It’s unbelievable,” he added.

According to Chadhuri,for the development of the state,there is a need for an overall development in education sector. “It’s not that I don’t love Presidency. I have been teaching here and also taught at Jadavpur University. I feel other universities have enough talented professors who need to be recognised,” he added.

He denied rifts with other members of the Mentor Group as reported in media as the cause of his resignation. “I shared the best possible relations with the members of the Mentor Group during the last one year. Now I won’t be able to sit with such distinguished people,” he added.

He said that after he tendered his resignation,Sugata Bose called him up. “We discussed a lot of issues but his words really touched me,” Chadhuri added.

Sources said that the 15 professors,who would be recruited for the distinguished chairs,will get a pay package of around Rs 1.5 lakh.